April 23, 2010
- Kurt Busch signs long term deal, no terms mentioned: no terms or length mentioned but Penske Racing’s Kurt Busch confirmed that he has signed a multi-year agreement with Penske Racing to drive the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger beginning in 2011. From a Dodge Motorsports transcript…in part:WHEN WAS YOUR CONTRACT UP AND HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANY OTHER TEAMS BEFORE RE-SIGNING WITH PENSKE? “I knew that I was committed through 2010 and 2011’s option was picked up by Roger (Penske). So what that meant was a perfect opportunity to talk about what the future could bring; not just 2011, but 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and beyond. We started with just a light-hearted sit down at a dinner one night, almost like one of those napkin sketches of, ‘Hey, this is what I’d like to see and this is what might happen.’ Then this (Shell/Pennzoil) opportunity just came up a few weeks ago and it changed the whole landscape that we ended up with. No, I didn’t talk to any other teams. When I weighed my options personally, with my wife Eva and my manager (John Caponigro), we looked at other teams, we tried to find scenarios that would fit for us, but none of them were as powerful as creating the longevity with Penske.”DO YOU FEEL AWKWARD FOR SAM WHO NOW IS WITHOUT A SPONSORED CAR FOR 2011? DO YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL HAVE A THIRD PENSKE CUP CAR NEXT YEAR? “That’s the most refreshing part of it, my deal is done and I’m signed long-term and I don’t have to worry about the silly season. Brad’s settled in. Sam’s is definitely part of our program and will be a part of Penske Racing. I know that 2011 will be picked up for his (contract) option. He will be driving for Penske next year. What I hope happens in the upcoming months is that a secure sponsor comes to allow him to sign a multi-year deal and move forward. That way we can put all of that behind us in the summer months and be ready to rip in 2011.CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE NEW CONTRACT WITH US? “I’m not really obligated (at liberty) to talk about it. It’s a multi-year agreement with Penske and Penske Corporation and myself and Shell/Pennzoil.”
IS IT ANY DIFFERENT THAT THE CONTRACT THAT YOU HAD WITH PENSKE PREVIOUSLY? “No, it’s not any different in any way. It’s very similar.”
WAS THE DECISION TO RE-SIGN WITH PENSKE ABOUT LONGIVITY? “It definitely crossed my mind to work with Roger on a lifetime-type deal. This program presented itself…and it happened at such a quick time frame that it didn’t allow time to develop any further. It was almost like, ‘Hey, you going with me? I’ve gotta go make this happen. It was a situation that I felt very comfortable with; I now know Roger for working with him the last five years. I definitely look to have my career end here at Penske Racing; hopefully that’s 10-15 years down the road. Being only 31 years-old, there’s still so much potential, blue sky, and so much fun that we can have together. I look at the business-to-business relationship as being an important factor in signing with Roger.”(Dodge Motorsports)(4-23-2010)
- Coverage of Qualifying for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega SuperSpeedway is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:35am/et.
Television (TV): SPEED 11:30am/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) only on NASCAR.com
Jayski.com: Jayski’s Semi-Live Qualifying Page
Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 8:00pm/et - Qualifying Order for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega SuperSpeedway is posted. 45 cars/drivers are listed. Go-or-go homers will qualify at the end of the session, once the top-35 drivers are done.
The first of the top-35 drivers scheduled to go out is #98-Menard.
The final top-35 driver scheduled to go out is #16-Biffle.
The first go-or-go homer scheduled to qualify [36th] is #36-Sauter with the final driver scheduled to qualify being #13-Papis.
See the full qualifying order on the Talladega Qualifying Page.(4-23-2010) - 1st Friday practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega SuperSpeedway is over, after 45 scheduled minutes of practice, some speeds and notes:
#00-Reutimann 198.470
#78-Smith 198.466
#24-Gordon 196.201
#31-Burton 196.109
#47-Ambrose 194.943
slowest: #35-Almirola 180.383 & #26-Stremme 180.905
Note: teams are running in packs, so the top speeds are drafting speeds, not one car runs. #99-Edwards reported a vibration and the team is looking at the engine.
For fastest speeds, laps run, see my Talladega Practice Speeds Page.(4-23-2010) - Practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
#7-Robby Gordon, 28th fastest
#09-Mike Bliss, 37th
#36-Johnny Sauter, 38th
#13-Max Papis, 39th
#87-Joe Nemechek, 40th
#46-Terry Cook, 41st
#55-Michael Waltrip, 42nd
#66-Dave Blaney, 43rd
these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
#26-David Stremme, 44th
#35-Aric Almirola, 45th/last.(4-23-2010) - Happy Hour (Final) practice for the Aaron’s 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega SuperSpeedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, some speeds and notes:
#31-Burton 199.467mph (close to that 200mph barrier)
#12-Keselowski 199.463
#09-Bliss 197.268
#11-Hamlin 196.572
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 196.487
slowest: #26-Stremme 180.550 & #66-Blaney 180.980
38 of 45 cars have made it to the track
no speed listed: #24-Gordon, #83-Vickers, #78-Smith, #00-Reutimann, #1-McMurray, #82-Speed & #42-Montoya
Note: #39-Newman got tapped by #5-Martin when cars in front of Newman checked up, Newman got into the inside wall, damaging the left rear and slight damage to the right rear, Newman will go to a backup car.
For fastest speeds, laps run, see my Talladega Practice Speeds Page.(4-23-2010) - Practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
#09-Mike Bliss, 3rd fastest
#13-Max Papis, 7th
#36-Johnny Sauter, 29th
#7-Robby Gordon, 30th
#87-Joe Nemechek, 31st
#55-Michael Waltrip, 34th
#35-Aric Almirola, 35th
#46-Terry Cook, 36th
these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
#66-Dave Blaney, 37th
#26-David Stremme, 38th
.(4-23-2010) - Weather Watch for Friday night and Saturday: from the folks at AccuWeather: AccuWeather.com reports the same system that sparked tornadoes over the southernRacing Plains Thursday evening will produce waves of dangerous thunderstorms and heavy rain at Talladega Superspeedway this evening through Saturday evening. Rather than just being one line of storms or heavy rain for a several-hour period, it now appears that as many as several rounds of potentially severe thunderstorms will roll through east-central Alabama. The thunderstorms will bring the risk of damaging wind gusts, flash flooding, large hail, and even a tornado. Lightning will pose the greatest danger, as many people will be outdoors in unprotected areas. Remember tents, pavilions and grandstands do not offer adequate protection from lightning. During strong thunderstorm winds, tents, tarps and canopies can be tossed about and destroyed, with debris potentially causing serious injuries. While the odds of a tornado striking the immediate Superspeedway area are relatively small, there will be multiple opportuniDangerous stormsties for severe weather conditions and tornadoes. The first round of thunderstorms with locally strong winds is expected to roll through Friday evening. Fans hanging around for activities following Sprint Cup practice and Nationwide Series qualifying Friday could get soaked. Repetitive drenching showers and locally strong thunderstorms are expected late tonight into Saturday morning. Any brightening that occurs Saturday midday may only entice another round of nasty thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. The Nationwide Series race and Sprint Cup qualifying -scheduled for 11:40am/et] could be rained out. The good news is that fans, drivers and officials should get a break from Mother Nature Sunday.
Crews could be working to dry off the track in time for the start of the Sprint Cup race at 1:00pm/et p.m. While the chance of rain is not zero for Sunday, the vast majority of the time will be rain-free. There is a slight chance for a passing shower. With the wild and, at times, dangerous weather expected this weekend, NASCAR fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the weather, while keeping the other on their favorite pastime.(AccuWeather.com), see other weather links on my Talladega Race Info page – weather links section.(4-23-2010) - Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets on Sale April 24: Tickets for the Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale at 10:00am/et April 24 through Ticketmaster. The event is scheduled for 1:00pm/et May 23 in the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C. The prestigious ceremony will feature presentations about each inductee from prominent members of the NASCAR community. The highlight of the event will be the official induction of the Inaugural Class of 2010: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is our pleasure to invite race fans to Charlotte to share in the special day,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “This is like being at the first Induction Ceremony of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939 when legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were officially inducted. Only 3,100 people will have the chance to say they witnessed the first NASCAR Hall of Fame induction in person.”(NHOF PR), more info on my NASCAR Hall of Fame page and links page.(4-23-2010)
- Harvick: Burned Bridges with RCR? UPDATE denied: Richard Childress Racing has probably lost its faint chance to keep Kevin Harvick on the heels of Wednesday’s devastating announcement that Shell/Pennzoil is moving to Penske Racing in 2011 to sponsor Kurt Busch in the Sprint Cup Series. RCR already faced a serious, uphill challenge in trying to retain Harvick, who is in the final year of his contract, even if it had managed to hold onto Pennzoil, sponsor of Harvick’s #29 since 2007. Harvick, according to multiple sources reached by SI.com but never confirmed by the driver, wanted out of RCR at the end of last season, but team owner Richard Childress held him to the contract. The duo came out strong out of the gate this season — they led the points after five races and are currently fourth, 141 behind Jimmie Johnson — but the sour feelings between the two haven’t changed. “Kevin has burned all his bridges here,” said a source requesting anonymity following the news of Shell’s departure. The source reiterated the chances of Childress and Harvick dissolving their marriage were close to 100%. Harvick is the top free agent driver on the market. His preferred destination is Stewart-Haas Racing, where he’d have Hendrick equipment. Tony Stewart is on the record as wanting to expand to three cars next season, dependent upon sponsorship. With Harvick to sell and the broad range of commercial possibilities available through the team’s partner-like association with Hendrick, Stewart-Haas has far greater ability to find a sponsor for Harvick. Kasey Kahne’s decision to join Rick Hendrick’s organization in 2012 has led to widespread speculation that he’ll be at Stewart-Haas in 2011. Kahne certainly will be in Hendrick equipment next season and it’s the logical place. The other possibility would be for Hendrick to ask Mark Martin to vacate the #5 a year early to go to Stewart-Haas. In either situation, it would require Stewart-Haas to run four cars in 2011. That ‘s not beyond the team’s reach and it’s where Stewart wants to get eventually.(Sports Illustrated)(4-22-2010)UPDATE: Kevin Harvick says he doesn’t know where he’ll drive next season, but it’s fair to say he will remain with Chevrolet. Harvick said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway that he’s had “many, many, many” conversations with team owner Richard Childress about staying with Richard Childress Racing when his contract expires after this season. He did not elaborate when asked if he’s had conversations with other owners, such as Chevrolet owner Tony Stewart, with whom he reportedly was linked last season. But Harvick made it clear he’s burnt no bridges with RCR, where he has driven in the Sprint Cup series since replacing the late Dale Earnhardt in 2001.
He also made it clear that, because he uses Chevrolet with his Nationwide and Truck Series organization, he doesn’t plan to switch manufacturers. “Richard Childress and myself, we’ve got a great relationship,” said Harvick, who is fourth in points after missing the Chase last season. “We’ve been talking about a lot of things for several months. It’s not anything different than we normally do at this time. The cars are running well. Everybody is communicating well. I don’t know what else to say other than Richard and I have had many, many, many conversations over the last several months. What that means? Right now I’m driving the #29 car.” Harvick took issue Thursday on Twitter about stories involving sources on his future [see post above]. Asked to clarify his future, he said: “If you’re going to quote a source, quote their name. If they’re too chicken to give their name, don’t put their name in the paper. Anonymous sources are crap.”(ESPN)(4-23-2010) - Restirctor Plate size could change at Talladega: NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Friday morning that a decision on the size of the restrictor-plate that will be used in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 will be made after practice this afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway. Sunday’s race will be the first at Talladega with a blade rear spoiler instead of a wing on the new-generation Sprint Cup car at a restrictor-plate track. With the new aerodynamic package, it remains to be seen what speeds the cars will run at on the track. If the cars lap the 2.66-mile superspeedway at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour in the draft, NASCAR will mandate the use of a smaller restrictor-plate during Sunday’s race. Conversely, if speeds are slower than anticipated, a larger plate could be used. Pemberton said that NASCAR has adjusted plate size between practice and the race before, so this is not setting a precedent. “The good news is, it’s a beautiful day, so we should be able to get plenty of drafting in,” said Pemberton. There will be two rounds of Sprint Cup practice today, a 45-minute session beginning at 2:00pm/et, and a one-hour session at 3:30 pm/et. Both will be televised live on SPEED.(SPEED)(4-23-2010)
- McMurray going for three in a row at ‘Dega: #1-Jamie McMurray and his EGR team will return to Superspeedway racing this weekend at Talladega. After an impressive February Speedweek’s at Daytona coming home with the Daytona 500 trophy, the team certainly looks to be a contender at the 2.66 tri-oval. McMurray has won the last two restrictor-plate races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series having won the 2009 fall event at Talladega and the 2010 Daytona 500. His victory marked his best finish at Talladega where he also has four top-five’s and five top-10’s. His best start was in the 2003 fall race when he started on the outside pole.(EGR)(4-12-2010)
- TBR To Feature Mohawk Northeast at Talladega: The #35 Chevy for Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) will feature a custom Mohawk Northeast, Inc. paint scheme for this weekend’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mohawk Northeast, Inc., a construction company based in Connecticut, will be prominently displayed on the Chevrolet driven by Aric Almirola this weekend. Al Heinke, President of Mohawk Northeast Inc., is excited about teaming up with TBR. “We are looking forward to partnering up with Tommy and the race team this weekend at Talladega,” Heinke said. “Involvement in NASCAR is a great way to increase brand recognition and the partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing allows us to reach a group of customers outside our current base in New England.” Almirola will make his season debut for TBR at a track where his career record includes a 13th place finish in the 2008 Amp Energy 500. Almirola will look to get the #35 into a race for the second time this year, and Baldwin is confident his cars will be strong this weekend.(Tommy Baldwin Racing)(4-23-2010)
- Earnhardt Jr.’s Crew Captures Tissot Pit Road Award in Texas: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s over-the-wall crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Monday’s (April 19) rain-delayed Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the lighting-fast Texas Motor Speedway. The #88 crew’s solid performance helped Earnhardt earn an eighth-place finish at the 1.5-mile quad-oval. Earnhardt’s Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on pit road – 275.470 seconds – during the 334-lap, 501-mile event. Race winner Denny Hamlin’s FedEx Ground Toyota was second (285.035) and Kurt Busch’s Miller Lite Dodge was third (288.512). Earnhardt’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), Ben Fischbeck (front-tire carrier), Kip Wolfmeier (rear-tire changer), Matt Myers (rear-tire carrier), Mark Jacobs (jackman), Chris Fasulka (gasman) and Jason Dalrymple (catch can). The team’s pit crew coaches are Mark Mauldin and Walt Smith. The winning pit crew in each Sprint Cup race will earn $5,000 and a Tissot V8 Quartz Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall crew members and driver. #56-Martin Truex Jr.’s team continues to lead the Tissot standings with two wins after eight races. Six teams remain in second place with one win.(Tissot)(4-23-2010)
- Richardson Ready to Run at ‘Dega: Robert Richardson Jr. returns to the cockpit of a Front Row Motorsports Ford for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend – his second of three races with the team during the 2010 season. The college quarterback-turned-racer brings the colors of Mahindra USA Tractors to the #37 Ford Fusion for Sunday’s race at the 2.66-mile tri-oval. Richardson finished 31st in the season-opening Daytona 500 with Front Row [running their #38 Ford there] and will return to the team for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in July. He brought home a top-20 finish in his first, and only other, Sprint Cup start at Talladega last fall when he finished 18th. Richardson Jr. on Talladega Superspeedway: “Front Row Motorsports has been a great fit for me, being able to come over from our Nationwide Series team of R3 Motorsports to a team on the Cup side with experienced drivers like Travis Kvapil and David Gilliland has been good for me this year. Being able to exchange notes with those guys definitely helps. Bob Jenkins has given me the opportunity to run their Sprint Cup car at Talladega, and also in Daytona in July. I’m just honored to have the couple of opportunities to run in the Sprint Cup series.”(Front Row Motorsports)(4-23-2010)
- Wife of Slain Alabama Policeman Named ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chief: When a hero loses his or her life in service to community or country it is those left behind that are forced to display heroism in coping with the loss. Paula Davis, the 39-year-old widow of slain Pelham Officer Philip Davis, is admirably showing this courage and has been named the ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ and ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chief for the upcoming NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway. ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ recipients become ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chiefs, receive a tour of the paddock, attend the pre-race NASCAR Driver/Crew Chief meeting, and sit atop the pit box with Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo to root on rookie driver Kevin Conway piloting the royal blue and red No. 38 ExtenZe Ford Fusion. Each recipient also receives a $1,000 award from ExtenZe, the world’s best selling male enhancement product. Fans can visit www.ExtenZeRacing.com to nominate their own local heroes or review who has been previously chosen. Also check in on blog/twitter feeds for the latest information on ExtenZe Racing and Kevin Conway.(ExtenZe Racing/Breaking Limits)(4-23-2010)
- Drug charges dropped, J.C. France: J.C. France, grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., has been reinstated by Grand-Am Road Racing to compete in Rolex Series road-racing events after a five-month suspension following his arrest last year. Grand-Am vice president of communications Kevin Hinson confirmed that France, son of NASCAR vice chairman Jim France, was issued a competitor’s license earlier this week after prosecutors earlier this month decided not to prosecute him. France, 44, was arrested along with half brother Russell Van Richmond, 41, Oct. 8 by Daytona Beach police on charges of DUI and narcotics possession. The two men were pulled over after an officer saw them racing, then another officer saw France roll through a red light. According to a police, France and Van Richmond were racing over the Seabreeze Bridge and Daytona Beach police stopped them. When police found both men, who were in separate cars and stopped in different places, they found cocaine on them, according to reports. But evidence was thrown out of the case against France and the DUI and drug possession charges were not pursued. Van Richmond is serving six months’ probation for DUI, records show. All the evidence that Daytona Beach police piled up against France was thrown out because of a jurisdictional technicality. In an order earlier this month, Circuit Judge Patrick Kennedy said that France’s traffic infraction occurred within the city of Holly Hill and the officer who followed France made an “unlawful stop” of the vehicle because the officer was outside of his jurisdiction. Citing case law, the judge said that as a “general principle,” police officers from one jurisdiction have no “official power” to arrest an offender outside the boundaries of their municipality.” France had to follow a rehabilitation program and vigorous drug testing set forth by Grand-Am, headquartered in Daytona Beach and owned by NASCAR. “He addressed the legal issues that were outstanding, based on the fact those issues were resolved, and successfully completing the program administered by Dr. David Black, we made a decision to reinstate him,” Hinson said. “He was extremely cooperative,” Hinson said. “He did everything we asked him to do. We didn’t have any pushback and that meant a lot to us as far as him getting reinstated.”(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-23-2010)
- Pocono gets race title sponsor: Gillette announced that it will sponsor the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 6, 2010. The event will be titled the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 Presented by Target. The date of the race coincides with the official launch of the Gillette Fusion ProGlide shaving system, a significant advancement in shaving performance and comfort. All activities to promote the race will be designed to support the new razor, which will also be available to consumers in stores on June 6, 2010. “We are very excited about our upcoming partnership with Pocono Raceway and Target,” said Michelle Potorski, Associate Marketing Director, Gillette North America. “The race sponsorship provides the perfect opportunity to further enhance our efforts to inform consumers of the engineering advancements and breakthrough technology achieved with the Gillette Fusion ProGlide.” Gillette continues to utilize NASCAR as a vehicle to market its brand. Since its inception in 2003, the Gillette Young Guns program has been at the forefront of all its NASCAR-related activations. The Gillette Young Guns drivers, which include Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Joey Logano, will also be incorporated into all planned activations, including at-track, creative and digital, to support the launch of the Gillette Fusion ProGlide. “It is an honor and a privilege for Pocono Raceway to partner with both Gillette and Target on the launch of this terrific new Gillette Fusion ProGlide,” said Brandon Igdalsky, President, Pocono Raceway. “The staff at Pocono that tried the new Fusion ProGlide has each become ‘Believers’ of this great new razor! And on June 6, everyone in America will be able to use the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide and become a ‘Believer’ themselves!” As part of the race entitlement, Pocono Raceway is offering a 15% discount on tickets throughout the race weekend when you enter the promotional code, “PROGLIDE”. All the Gillette Young Guns, including Gillette driver Ryan Newman will be giving away tickets to the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 presented by Target. Each driver has an allotment of tickets to distribute throughout various outlets including social networking sites, fan clubs, charities, etc. For ticket information visit poconoraceway.com or call toll free 1-800-RACEWAY.(Pocono Raceway)(4-23-2010)
- Daytona to repave track for 2011 season: After months of investigation into Daytona’s aged asphalt surface, we finally have an answer as to the future of the speedway’s repaving project. Sources tell Mike Lovecchio [from Frontstretch.com] that an announcement will be made tomorrow by ISC the track will be fully repaved in time for the 2011 Daytona 500. According to sources, investigation into the track surface, which was last repaved in 1978, revealed “concerns” that have forced ISC to move up the timeline of the project. A source also says there are still private worries remaining about the condition of the asphalt for July’s Coke Zero 400, but the choice has been made to not rush the project and wait until after the second round of Daytona races. The move is an about face from ISC and Daytona’s stance on the matter in February. After a pothole caused two red flags totaling two hours, 25 minutes for repairs in this year’s 500, DIS President Robin Braig was adamant the track would hold off on its repaving job until 2012. No word on the exact cost of the project, but sources claim pieces of the old asphalt could be sold to fans once the repave is complete. Daytona International Speedway did not return a phone call for comment.(Frontstretch)(4-23-2010)
- Bowyer to run more races in the #21: As far as his Nationwide program, [Richard] Childress said discussions continue with development driver John Wes Townley, who is sitting out his third consecutive race. Clint Bowyer has driven the last two races and will drive the #21 RCR car again this weekend. “We’re still talking,” Childress said. “Clint is going to keep in it for a few more races before we decide [what to do].”(Scene Daily)(4-23-2010)
- Dale Jr. to run #3 car at Daytona NNS race? UPDATE: If arrangements go as planned, Earnhardt will run the #3 Wrangler Chevrolet for JR Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on July 2. Sources have told FOXSports.com that Earnhardt will revive his father’s famous #3 in a collaborative effort initiated by JR Motorsports with Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. A formal announcement is expected on April 29. According to team sources, a Hendrick Motorsports engine will power the car. Earnhardt Jr. currently has a personal services contract with Wrangler, continuing a family legacy between the brands. Wrangler first sponsored his father for the final race of his 1980 Cup championship season and the following year with Rod Osterlund for the first 16 races. (4-22-2010)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a #3 Nationwide Series car at Daytona International Speedway in July, Earnhardt Jr. reluctantly confirmed Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. JR Motorsports is unveiling the car and making the announcement Thursday, but television commentator Darrell Waltrip tweeted about Earnhardt Jr. driving a #3 yesterday. The paint scheme is expected feature Wrangler, which sponsored Dale Earnhardt in the early 1980s. “We ain’t really got anything confirmed – DW blew the lid off of it on Twitter no less,” Earnhardt Jr. said Friday. “That kind of ruined our announcement that we had planned. “We’re going to have our announcement here soon and explain to everybody what the whole program is about and how it came about and what’s going to happen. It’s unfortunate DW uncovered that. We didn’t plan to announce it like this. We’ll do it when we had it originally planned.” The car will be a third JR Motorsports car to go along with its #88 and #7 cars running on a full-time basis.(Scene Daily)(4-23-2010) - Jessie Smith to make debut at Kansas: Jesse Smith is making his NASCAR debut May 2 at Kansas Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series race. The 20-year-old, who started his racing career at age five, has won national titles in quarter midgets and Bandoleros, as well as in legend car competition against such NASCAR stars as Joey Logano, David Ragan, and two-time Gateway International Raceway winner Reed Sorenson. Smith is racing in the #90 truck of Stringer Motorsports, a team owned by Doug Stringer and affiliated with Nationwide Series’ regulars, Braun Racing, owned by Todd Braun. Making the calls atop the pit box during the race is Tripp Bruce. This season, the #90 team has fielded trucks for James Buescher and USAC racer Brad Sweet, both of whom have finished in the top-15 in their respective races. Smith said while this is only scheduled to be a one-race deal, he has a high comfort level with them.(St. Louis Globe-Democrat)(4-23-2010)
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